Blogging to keep track of my new life since retiring March of 2007. I'll include thoughts, travels, writings, pictures, family and whatever else strikes me.
I would love to hear from you regarding my Blog, trips, suggestions, "hi, how are you's",, etc. My email address is...judereed@earthlink.net

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

"It's been a quiet week in Anacortes, my summer home".....(apologies to Garrison Keeler)...I decided to stay in Anacortes after I checked out the sites available at the "no reservations" RV park in Oak Harbor. The OH Park is nice but you just have to take whatever is available on any given day. So I'm staying put until I check into the Coachman Inn on August 6th for Reunion weekend.

I was invited to Keith and Hope Fakkema's home in Oak Harbor to workout details for the Friday night class reunion gathering. They are hosting at their beautiful home overlooking Oak Harbor and the bay. By the way, Keith is still as handsome as he was in high school....and that was way handsome.

I recently met some fun people here in the park and went out to dinner with them. Turns out they are cousins of Mickey Rooney, of the old "let's put on a show" movies. They had some fun stories to tell and I enjoyed it so much. I used to love the Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney musical movies of the 40's and still do.

I'm having a lovely summer. Beautiful surroundings, total relaxation...lots of friends and family connections....doing some good works.....catching up on my reading.....meeting new people....eating out, probably too much, but loving it.....and not feeling the least bit guilty about any of it. Amazing!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Also got to spend some time with my grandniece Jen and her husband Rob and her little girl Maddy. Jen is expecting her second child, a boy, in November. Thanks for a lovely day Jen. Maddy is wonderful.....you and Rob make pretty babies.

I realize I have gotten lazy about my blog since joining Facebook. So it is catch up time. Since my trip to Orcas, I got invited to join MA and her family and friends at a Mtn. Cabin near Blewett Pass. What a great time we had. Lots of laughter, good food and me finding I had a talent for "beer pong". So here are some pictures.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

It has been a lovely week here in the beautiful Northwest. I took an impromptu ferry ride to Orcas Island. The bad news was I forgot my camera. A good reason to return to take pictures of that lovely place. In all the years I've lived in the NW, this was my first trip to Orcas. I recommend it to all.

Today I am leaving shortly to drive up to Teanaway in the Cascade Mountains. A friend has invited me to spend Sunday and Monday nights in a cabin in the woods. It will be a nice change for me and some good people to spend time with. This time I will bring my camera. It is raining and cold here in Anacortes. Hope the weather is better in the Mtns. We'll see.

I sent out an email to my classmates that live in Oak Harbor. I'm hoping we can organize a get together on the Friday night of the class reunion weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and remembering those great "happy days" of high school in the 50's.

I saw the temperatures in Sun City West are 110 degrees today. So no complaining from me about the rain. I'm having a wonderful summer in the Northwest.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

I had a great 4th of July in Anacortes, Wa. Complete with a local parade and fireworks in my front yard. I was so surprised, however, that the parade did not have even one marching band. I totally expected the Anacortes High School Band to be out in force. I remember being in my Oak Harbor High School Band and marching in the 4th of July Parade.....and many others. Parades should always have a marching band....Oh well....it was still a fun parade....quiet....but fun!

I spent the week before the 4th with my friend Marianne in Federal Way. We visited the Tacoma Glass Museum and had lunch on a deck overlooking Commencement Bay...including watching parasailing. The Glass Museum is well worth the trip and admission price. Beautiful artwork, and the chance to see artists at work in the "hot shop" I was surprised there wasn't more Dale Chihuly works....although he does have some installations outside.

I also had lunch in LaConner and took some pictures from the restaurant deck and drove through town to check out the lovely homes. My favorite picture is of the pig on someone's front porch.

I'm enjoying my visit to Washington. I've been able to see old friends and the weather has been mostly perfect. I'm still at the Fidalgo Bay RV Resort in Anacortes but will be moving to the Sail Away RV park in Oak Harbor on July 15th. I'll be ready for a change of scenery. Sail Away is a City owned RV park located next to a big, beautiful, grassy park on City beach.